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Carter's, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results
  • Sales Increased $20 Million, Up 5%


  • GAAP Diluted EPS $0.57; Adjusted Diluted EPS $0.59, Up 16%

ATLANTA, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carter's, Inc. (NYSE: CRI), the largest branded marketer in the United States of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, reported its third quarter results for fiscal 2006.

On July 14, 2005, Carter's, Inc. (the "Company") acquired all of the outstanding common stock of OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc. (the "Acquisition") and refinanced its existing debt (the "Refinancing"), which included its former senior credit facility and the repurchase of all of its 10.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the "Notes"). Results for the three and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2006 include OshKosh for the entire period, while results for the comparable periods in fiscal 2005 include OshKosh from July 14, 2005 through October 1, 2005.

Third Quarter 2006 compared to Third Quarter 2005

Net sales increased 5.3% to $392.0 million. Excluding OshKosh sales of $88.5 million in 2006 and $96.1 million in 2005, net sales increased 9.9% to $303.5 million.

The Company's wholesale sales increased 3.7% to $169.4 million. Excluding OshKosh wholesale sales of $25.8 million in 2006 and $32.6 million in 2005 and Carter's off-price sales of $9.0 million in 2006 and $6.9 million in 2005, Carter's wholesale sales increased 8.7% to $134.6 million.

The Company's mass channel sales, which are comprised of sales of its Child of Mine brand to Wal-Mart and Just One Year brand to Target, increased 15.2% to $66.3 million.

Retail store sales increased 3.4% to $156.2 million. Excluding OshKosh retail store sales of $62.7 million in 2006 and $63.5 million in 2005, Carter's retail store sales increased 6.6% to $93.5 million. This increase was driven by sales from new Carter's stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and a comparable store sales increase of 1.7%.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company opened five Carter's stores and four OshKosh stores. The Company also closed one OshKosh store. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had 205 Carter's stores and 146 OshKosh stores.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, net income increased $24.4 million to $35.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, including non-cash charges of $0.01 per diluted share of intangible amortization resulting from the Acquisition and $0.01 per diluted share related to stock-based compensation resulting from the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"). Net income of $10.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 included charges of $19.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, associated with the Acquisition and Refinancing, and $1.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, of costs associated with the closure of two sewing facilities in Mexico. Excluding these charges in each period, adjusted net income increased 17.1% to $36.3 million. Diluted earnings per share, excluding these charges in each period, increased 15.7% to $0.59 per diluted share. The reconciliation of income, as reported under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), to income adjusted for these charges is shown below.



                                         (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                   Three-month period ended September 30, 2006

                                            Income
                                            Before        Net      Diluted
                                             Taxes      Income       EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)               $55.0       $35.0      $0.57

        Intangible amortization (a)            1.2         0.7       0.01

        Stock option expense (b)               0.9         0.6       0.01

    Income, as adjusted (c)                  $57.1       $36.3      $0.59


                                         (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                     Three-month period ended October 1, 2005

                                            Income
                                            Before        Net      Diluted
                                             Taxes      Income       EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)               $17.5       $10.6      $0.17

      Refinancing:
        Tender premium (d)                    14.0         8.5       0.14
        Debt issuance costs (e)                5.6         3.4       0.06
        Unamortized discount (f)               0.5         0.3       0.01
                                              20.1        12.2       0.21
      Acquisition charges:
        Inventory step-up (g)                 10.4         6.3       0.10
        Intangible amortization (a)            1.0         0.6       0.01
                                              11.4         6.9       0.11
      Facility closings:
        Plant closure costs (h)                2.1         1.3       0.02
                                              33.6        20.4       0.34

    Income, as adjusted (c)                  $51.1       $31.0      $0.51

    (a) Amortization of OshKosh intangible assets, primarily licensing
        agreements.
    (b) Stock-based compensation charges related to the adoption of SFAS 123R.
    (c) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present income before taxes, net income,
        and net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a more
        meaningful comparison of the Company's results.  These adjusted, non-
        GAAP financial measurements included in this earnings release should
        not be considered as an alternative to net income or as any other
        measurement of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The
        adjusted, non-GAAP financial information is presented for
        informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the
        Company's future condition or results of operations.
    (d) Tender premium to repurchase the Notes.
    (e) Non-cash charge to write off debt issuance costs associated with the
        Refinancing.
    (f) Non-cash charge related to the write-off of the unamortized discount
        on the Notes.
    (g) Fair value step-up of inventory acquired from OshKosh included in cost
        of goods sold.
    (h) Costs associated with the closure of two sewing facilities in Mexico,
        including accelerated depreciation charges of $0.6 million, pre-tax,
        included in cost of goods sold.

"We are very pleased with the strong performance of our wholesale and mass channel segments which continue to offset lower than expected results from Carter's and OshKosh's retail stores" noted Fred Rowan, Chairman and CEO. "We are committed to improving our retail store performance, building Carter's and OshKosh's brand equity, and elevating product design under each brand's umbrella. We are encouraged by the response from our customers to our spring and summer 2007 products, which reflect the benefit from investments we have made in talent and branding this past year."

First nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to first nine months of fiscal 2005

Net sales increased 25.3% to $966.0 million. Excluding OshKosh sales of $230.6 million in 2006 and $96.1 million in 2005, net sales increased 9.0% to $735.4 million.

The Company's wholesale sales increased 16.2% to $405.0 million. Excluding OshKosh wholesale sales of $74.9 million in 2006 and $32.6 million in 2005 and Carter's off-price sales of $22.8 million in 2006 and $25.5 million in 2005, Carter's wholesale sales increased 5.8% to $307.3 million.

The Company's mass channel sales increased 25.9% to $171.3 million.

Retail store sales increased 36.1% to $389.7 million. Excluding OshKosh retail store sales of $155.8 million in 2006 and $63.5 million in 2005, Carter's retail store sales increased 4.9% to $234.0 million. This increase was driven by sales from new Carter's stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and a comparable store sales increase of 0.6%.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2006, the Company opened 16 Carter's stores and six OshKosh stores. The Company also closed four Carter's stores and two OshKosh stores. In fiscal 2006, the Company plans to open 30 Carter's and 15 OshKosh stores and plans to close eight Carter's and three OshKosh stores.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2006, net income increased $29.9 million to $59.8 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, including non-cash charges of $0.03 per diluted share of intangible amortization resulting from the Acquisition and $0.03 per diluted share related to stock-based compensation resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123R. Net income of $29.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 included charges of $19.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, associated with the Acquisition and Refinancing, and $4.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, of costs associated with the closure of two sewing facilities in Mexico. Excluding these charges in each period, adjusted net income increased 19.0% to $63.8 million. Diluted earnings per share, excluding these charges in each period, increased 18.2% to $1.04 per diluted share. The reconciliation of income, as reported under GAAP, to income adjusted for these charges is shown below.



                                         (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                    Nine-month period ended September 30, 2006

                                            Income
                                            Before        Net      Diluted
                                             Taxes      Income       EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)               $94.8       $59.8      $0.98

        Intangible amortization (a)            3.6         2.2       0.03

        Stock option expense (b)               2.9         1.8       0.03


    Income, as adjusted (c)                 $101.3       $63.8      $1.04


                                         (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                      Nine-month period ended October 1, 2005

                                            Income
                                            Before        Net      Diluted
                                             Taxes      Income       EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)               $49.4       $29.9      $0.49

      Refinancing:
        Tender premium (d)                    14.0         8.5       0.14
        Debt issuance costs (e)                5.6         3.4       0.06
        Unamortized discount (f)               0.5         0.3       0.00
                                              20.1        12.2       0.20
      Acquisition charges:
        Inventory step-up (g)                 10.4         6.3       0.10
        Intangible amortization (a)            1.0         0.6       0.01
                                              11.4         6.9       0.11
      Facility closings:
        Plant closure costs (h)                7.6         4.6       0.08
                                              39.1        23.7       0.39

    Income, as adjusted (c)                  $88.5       $53.6      $0.88

    (a) Amortization of OshKosh intangible assets, primarily licensing
        agreements.
    (b) Stock-based compensation charges related to the adoption of SFAS 123R.
    (c) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present income before taxes, net income,
        and net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a more
        meaningful comparison of the Company's results.  These adjusted, non-
        GAAP financial measurements included in this earnings release should
        not be considered as an alternative to net income or as any other
        measurement of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The
        adjusted, non-GAAP financial information is presented for
        informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the
        Company's future condition or results of operations.
    (d) Tender premium to repurchase the Notes.
    (e) Non-cash charge to write off debt issuance costs associated with the
        Refinancing.
    (f) Non-cash charge related to the write-off of the unamortized discount
        on the Notes.
    (g) Fair value step-up of inventory acquired from OshKosh included in cost
        of goods sold.
    (h) Costs associated with the closure of two sewing facilities in Mexico,
        including accelerated depreciation charges of $1.6 million, pre-tax,
        included in cost of goods sold.

Net cash used in operations was $5.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to net cash provided by operations of $34.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2005. The change in cash flow was driven by increases in accounts receivable resulting from the timing of shipments and reductions in accounts payable and other current liabilities. In the first nine months of fiscal 2006, the Company made payments of $37.1 million on its term loan, including prepayments of $34.0 million. Since the Acquisition, the Company has reduced its long-term debt by $107.1 million, or 21.4%. Business Outlook

Our business outlook is based on our current expectations and includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Although the Company believes the comments reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.



                                 (dollars in millions, except for share data)
                                   Fourth Quarter 2006   Fiscal Year 2006
    Consolidated Net Sales           $ 374    +7% (a)    $1,340   +20% (c)
    Consolidated Adjusted
     Diluted EPS                     $0.46   +35% (b)     $1.50   +23% (d)

    (a) Comparison to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.
    (b) Estimated increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 excludes $0.01
        per diluted share of intangible amortization related to the
        Acquisition and $0.01 per diluted share of stock option expense
        related to the adoption of SFAS 123R, compared to the adjusted fourth
        quarter fiscal 2005 results of $0.34 per diluted share, which exclude
        inventory step-up charges and intangible amortization related to the
        Acquisition of $0.05 per diluted share, and Mexico plant closure costs
        of $0.01 per diluted share.
    (c) Comparison to fiscal 2005, which includes OshKosh from July 14, 2005
        through December 31, 2005.
    (d) Estimated increase in fiscal 2006 excludes $0.05 per diluted share of
        intangible amortization related to the Acquisition and $0.04 per
        diluted share of stock option expense related to the adoption of SFAS
        123R, compared to the adjusted fiscal 2005 results of $1.22 per
        diluted share, which exclude debt extinguishment charges of $0.20 per
        diluted share, inventory step-up charges and intangible amortization
        related to the Acquisition of $0.16 per diluted share, and Mexico
        plant closure costs of $0.08 per diluted share as previously described
        in our February 22, 2006 earnings release.

The Company will broadcast its quarterly conference call on October 25, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-913-981-5520. To listen to the live broadcast over the internet, please log on to www.carters.com, go to "About Carter's," click on "Investor Relations," and then click on the link "Third Quarter Conference Call." A replay of the call will be available shortly after the broadcast through November 3, 2006, at 1-719-457-0820, passcode 3624897. This replay will be archived on the Company's website at the same location as the live webcast.

For more information on Carter's, Inc. please visit www.carters.com.

Cautionary Language

Statements contained herein that relate to the Company's future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's anticipated results for fiscal 2006 or any other future period, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include a decrease in sales to, or the loss of one or more of the Company's key customers, the acceptance of our products in the marketplace, deflationary pressures on our prices, disruptions in foreign supply sources, negative publicity, increased competition in the baby and young children's apparel market, our substantial leverage, which increases our exposure to interest rate risk and could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to repay principal, changes in consumer preference and fashion trends, a decrease in the overall level of consumer spending, the impact of governmental regulations and environmental risks applicable to the Company's business, our ability to identify new locations and negotiate appropriate lease terms for our retail stores, our ability to attract and retain key individuals within the organization, failure to realize the savings and other benefits that we expect from Acquisition-related cost reduction initiatives, and seasonal fluctuations in the children's apparel business. These risks are described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



                                CARTER'S, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (dollars in thousands, except for share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                  Three-month             Nine-month
                                 periods ended           periods ended
                           September 30, October 1, September 30, October 1,
                               2006         2005        2006       2005
    Net sales:
     Wholesale                $169,402    $163,401    $404,950   $348,401
     Retail                    156,232     151,164     389,710    286,425
     Mass Channel               66,343      57,593     171,341    136,039
      Total net sales          391,977     372,158     966,001    770,865
    Cost of goods sold         244,757     243,497     613,382    500,374

    Gross profit               147,220     128,661     352,619    270,491

    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses    93,496      89,303     258,944    192,542
    Plant closure costs             --       1,509          91      6,078
    Royalty income              (7,782)     (7,208)    (21,610)   (13,544)

    Operating income            61,506      45,057     115,194     85,415
    Loss on extinguishment
     of debt                        --      20,137          --     20,137
    Interest expense, net        6,554       7,444      20,367     15,902

    Income before income taxes  54,952      17,476      94,827     49,376
    Provision for income taxes  19,975       6,898      35,046     19,499

    Net income                 $34,977     $10,578     $59,781    $29,877

    Basic net income per
     common share                $0.60       $0.18       $1.03      $0.52
    Diluted net income per
     common share                $0.57       $0.17       $0.98      $0.49
    Basic weighted average
     number of shares
     outstanding            57,949,783  57,439,850  57,845,521 57,177,740
    Diluted weighted
     average number of
     shares outstanding     61,094,141  60,932,056  61,173,247 60,672,620



                                CARTER'S, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (dollars in thousands, except for share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                   September 30,  December 31,  October 1,
                                       2006           2005        2005
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents         $29,956      $84,276     $20,743
      Investments                            --           --       8,430
      Accounts receivable, net          150,835       96,144     132,708
      Inventories, net                  199,849      188,454     209,895
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                     9,696        6,262       8,426
      Deferred income taxes              19,739       23,909      24,361

          Total current assets          410,075      399,045     404,563
    Property, plant, and equipment, net  79,863       79,458      74,952
    Tradenames                          322,233      322,233     322,233
    Cost in excess of fair value of
     net assets acquired                279,756      284,172     287,431
    Deferred debt issuance costs, net     6,797        8,257       9,166
    Licensing agreements, net            13,959       17,150      18,214
    Leasehold interests, net              1,268        1,619       1,735
    Other assets                          5,144        4,793       4,083
            Total assets             $1,119,095   $1,116,727  $1,122,377

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Current maturities of long-term
       debt                              $2,984       $3,241      $4,699
      Accounts payable                   44,395       63,735      46,810
      Other current liabilities          79,151       89,627      83,622

          Total current liabilities     126,530      156,603     135,131

    Long-term debt                      389,915      426,791     464,051
    Deferred income taxes               126,145      124,439     127,004
    Other long-term liabilities          22,111       22,250      29,697

          Total liabilities             664,701      730,083     755,883

    Commitments and contingencies
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock; par value $.01
       per share; 100,000 shares
       authorized; none issued or
       outstanding at September 30,
       2006, December 31, 2005, and
       October 1, 2005                       --           --          --
      Common stock, voting; par value
       $.01 per share; 150,000,000
       shares authorized; 58,179,118
       shares issued and outstanding
       at September 30, 2006; 40,000,000
       shares authorized; 28,909,729
       and 28,828,969 shares issued
       and outstanding at December 31,
       2005 and October 1, 2005,
       respectively                         582          289         288
      Additional paid-in capital        265,345      260,414     257,816
      Deferred compensation                  --       (2,749)     (2,420)
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                             1,350        1,354         799
      Retained earnings                 187,117      127,336     110,011

          Total stockholders' equity    454,394      386,644     366,494

            Total liabilities and
             stockholders' equity    $1,119,095   $1,116,727  $1,122,377


    

SOURCE Carter's, Inc.

CONTACT:
Eric Martin,
Vice President, Investor Relations of Carter's, Inc.,
+1-404-745-2889
Web site: http://www.carters.com
(CRI)